Darlene Heckman

Darlene (Smith) Heckman 80 of St. James, formerly of Truman, passed away Saturday, July 25, 2015 at Good Samaritan Society in St. James. Funeral services will be 11:30am Thursday, July 30, 2015 at St. John’s Lutheran Church-South Branch, rural St. James with Rev. Matthew Rusert officiating. Burial will follow at Ridgelawn Memorial Park in Truman. Visitation will be from 9:30am until the service time at the church. Online condolences can be made at www.zahariafamilyfuneral.com Darlene was born June 17, 1935 in Granada, MN to Myrtle Martinson. She grew up and attended school in Granada. On October 19, 1952 she married Wendell Smith. To this union they had 3 children Lynn, Debra, and Gwen. Wendell passed away in January of 1992. On June 11, 1994 she married Rodney Heckman and together they lived in St. James. Rodney passed away in 2014. Darlene worked for the Lutheran Retirement Home in Truman for 30 years. She enjoyed embroidering, Polka dancing, and made the BEST carrot bars and brownies. Survivors include her children, Lynn (Debbie) Smith of Winnebago, Debra (Jerry) Langford of Dundee, Gwen (Gary) Borchardt of Eagle Lake, grandchildren, Sam (Lisa) Langford, Angela Langford, Justin (Jessica) Smith, Brock Tarpy, Leah Tarpy, great-grandchildren, Hadley Langford, Bentley and Liam Tarpy, step-children, Nita (Chuck) Dobson, Wanda Heckman, Mike (Karen) Heckman, Lynette (Doug) Motz, many step-grandchildren, and step-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband’s, infant grandson, Mason Tarpy, and her parents.